Rio Tinto Alcan initiates lockout at Alma smelter to protect the safety and integrity of aluminium operations

MONTREAL, Jan. 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Rio Tinto Alcan has initiated a lockout at its 438,000 tonne Alma smelter in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec after the Syndicat des travailleurs de l'aluminium d'Alma (Alma aluminium workers' union) rejected the company's final proposal for an agreement. Every effort has been made to reach an agreement in the best interests of employees, customers and the business. During the lockout, Rio Tinto Alcan staff will continue to operate the plant until further notice.

Rio Tinto Alcan has been bargaining with the union since 4 October 2011. The union's contract expired on 31 December 2011. Plans are in place to ensure that our aluminium operations throughout the region continue to run safely and efficiently, and we will work to limit the labour disruption's impact Rio Tinto Alcan's customers.

The Syndicat des travailleurs de l'aluminium d'Alma represents 755 employees at the plant, including 674 hourly workers, 25 office personnel and 56 workers at the pot relining centre.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading international mining group headquartered in the UK, combining Rio Tinto plc, a London and NYSE listed company, and Rio Tinto Limited, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.